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Hit the Road! 3 Amazing Day Trips to Take Near Columbus, OH

A winding road going into a sunset

As the state capital and one of the most populous urban areas in the midwestern United States, the city of Columbus, OH, is not only a popular tourist destination but also a great gateway to explore the area and go on memorable day trips to its surrounding nature reserves. If you are searching for new places to discover in your 2022 Buick Encore, here are three spots you should not miss.

1. Tar Hollow State Park

A popular destination among landscape photographers during the autumn months, Tar Hollow State Park is a beautiful nature reserve that boasts some of the most beautiful views in the region. Surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachian Plateau, this public recreation area was established in 1949 and is an excellent destination for Columbus locals wanting to take a break from the urban frenzy and spend some quality time with friends and family.

Managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Tar Hollow State Park offers great opportunities for numerous outdoor sports and activities including fishing, swimming, and boating. Covering an area of about 600 acres, this place features numerous bodies of water and is located a little over 50 miles south of downtown Columbus, making it possible to reach it in about one hour by car.

2. Wayne National Forest

Spanning an area of over 240,000 acres, Wayne National Forest is not only a well-known day trip destination among Columbus locals but also popular spot among outdoor sports enthusiasts from all over the country. As the only national forest in the state of Ohio, this sprawling nature reserve features hundreds of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, as well as scenic views.

Established in 1934 and divided into three administrative units, Wayne National Forest is located about 80 miles southeast of the Columbus city center and can be reached in about one hour and 15 minutes via route US-33. This nature reserve offers excellent opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, wildlife watching and photography, birding, camping, and other recreational activities for visitors of all ages.

3. Buck Creek State Park

Located in the small city of Springfield and about 45 miles west of downtown Columbus, Buck Creek State Park is another fantastic nature reserve that can be easily visited as part of a day trip. Established around the shores of the Clarence J. Brown Reservoir, this public recreation area spans about 1,600 acres of territory and can be reached in about 40 minutes by car.

If you are thinking of buying a new or used vehicle and are looking for a trusted local dealership in the Columbus area, visit us today at Mark Wahlberg Buick GMC of Columbus! Talk to our expert sales agents, check out our models, and learn about the flexible financing plans we have available for you.

Image by Jan Alexander on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/photos/winding-road-sunset-mountains-1556177/

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